A retired Washington, D.C., police officer has been convicted of obstructing justice and making false statements in connection with leaking confidential police information to Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys extremist group. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson delivered the verdict on Monday following a bench trial.
Conviction on All Counts
Shane Lamond, a former lieutenant in the Metropolitan Police Department, was convicted on all four charges against him. Sentencing has been scheduled for April 3. Lamond faced allegations of tipping off Tarrio during a police investigation into the burning of a Black Lives Matter banner stolen from a historic Black church in December 2020.
During the trial, Lamond denied leaking sensitive information, claiming that he viewed Tarrio as an intelligence source. Tarrio, who testified in Lamond’s defense, similarly denied receiving confidential information. However, Judge Jackson found neither man’s testimony credible, stating that their communication showed a pattern of information being passed from Lamond to Tarrio, who would then disseminate it.
Judge’s Scathing Assessment
Judge Jackson criticized Tarrio as an “awful witness” and described his demeanor in court as “flippant, grandiose, and obnoxious.” She concluded that Lamond’s interactions with Tarrio demonstrated a clear breach of professional integrity.
“Lamond and Tarrio talk, and Tarrio immediately disseminates what he learns,” Jackson said, dismissing the defense’s narrative that Lamond was merely gathering intelligence from the Proud Boys leader.
Defense and Reaction
Mark Schamel, Lamond’s defense attorney, expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating, “It’s unbelievably disappointing to see every single thing that Lt. Lamond did viewed through a lens to make it appear to be something other than it was. There is nothing disloyal about him at all.”
Schamel declined to comment on whether Lamond would appeal the conviction.
Background on the Case
Lamond, who retired in May 2023 after 23 years with the police department, had supervised the intelligence branch of the department’s Homeland Security Bureau. He was responsible for monitoring groups like the Proud Boys during their activities in Washington, D.C.
Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting that Lamond warned Tarrio about an arrest warrant for the December 2020 banner burning and provided updates on the investigation. Messages between the two revealed Lamond expressing personal support for the Proud Boys, despite his professional role.
“Of course I can’t say it officially, but personally I support you all and don’t want to see your group’s name and reputation dragged through the mud,” Lamond wrote in one message.
Proud Boys Leader’s Legal Troubles
Enrique Tarrio eventually pleaded guilty to burning the Black Lives Matter banner and was later sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Prosecutors characterized Tarrio’s actions as part of a broader plot to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory and keep Donald Trump in office.
Tarrio was arrested in Washington two days before the Capitol attack but was not present during the siege itself.
Prosecutor’s Argument
Justice Department prosecutor Joshua Rothstein argued that Lamond’s actions constituted a betrayal of his duty as a police officer. He cited evidence of “real-time updates” Lamond provided to Tarrio about the investigation into the banner burning.
Rothstein emphasized that Lamond’s communications with Tarrio crossed the line from intelligence gathering to outright collaboration, undermining the integrity of the police department.
Lamond’s Defense
Lamond testified that he was not a Proud Boys sympathizer and that his interactions with Tarrio were intended to build rapport for intelligence purposes. However, prosecutors highlighted messages that contradicted his claims, including Lamond’s expressions of personal support for the group.
